3 New York Yankees Who Won't Be Back in 2025

After a tremendous season, and their first return to the World Series in 15 years, it was a brutal way to go out for the New York Yankees, blowing a five-run lead after a slew of misplays allowed the LA Dodgers to come back and eventually clinch the championship in five games.

You can be sure the Yankees will be making some moves, looking to add some big names on the free agent market, meaning that some players will not be back next season.

We learned on Friday that Luke Weaver will be returning, as the Yanks picked up his $2.5 million team option. And why not, at that price? He was tremendous overall in a high-leverage role as the closer after taking over in September.

So which 3 players are highly unlikely to be back? For now, we can't include free agent Juan Soto on this list, as the Yanks are still the leading contender to sign him in free agency, per the betting odds at least.

But these three? Don't count on them being in Pinstripes in 2025.

Anthony Rizzo

With a $17 million team option, his power seemingly completely sapped, an inability to stay healthy, and entering his age 35 season, it's a pretty safe bet to say that the Yankees will look for a younger 1B with clout (Did I hear Pete Alonso's name, anyone?). Rizzo slashed just .228/.301/.335, with a woeful 81 OPS+, his second straight season under league average.

And if Alonso isn't willing to come 'crosstown, youngster Ben Rice went back down to the minors after a tough debut and crushed it. He should be ready to take over at first in 2025 if needed. Unless Rizzo is willing to come back at an impossibly low number, he likely won't be back in the Bronx (unless it's as a coach).

Clay Holmes

The Yankees' reliever lost his job as closer at the end of the season, recording only one save in September, in a meaningless final game of the year. His postseason was a mixed bag, as he pitched very well in the ALDS and the World Series, while getting beat around in the ALCS. Still, with 30 saves on his resume for 2024, he'll be hitting free agency looking for a multi-year deal and a hefty raise from the $6 million he negotiated in his final arbitration year.

With the Yankees' hopes of making some huge free agent splashes, and Luke Weaver now in tow as the new closer, they could use Holmes' money to throw at Soto, perhaps Alonso, and a starting pitcher on the free agent market.

Gleyber Torres

He's been on the trade block for what seems like years. But now, Torres is a pending unrestricted free agent. Will the Yankees give him a $21 million qualifying offer? And would he possibly accept it? After a nice three-year run (interrupted by a troublesome first half this season), the bet here is that the nearly 28-year-old Torres goes to the open market looking for a hefty long-term deal. And if that's the case, this is likely goodbye to the Bronx for the second baseman. As with Rizzo and Holmes, the Yankees have bigger free agent fish to fry.

One more wild scenario to keep in mind: Gerrit Cole has an opt out clause that he may choose to exercise. But the Yankees can circumvent that by offering him an extra year on the end of his deal worth $36 million. That will be an intriguing situation to watch as well.